Tag Archives: relaxation

Hi! I found this post I wrote a while back, never posted it, and so I will share it with you now, as it has been a very long time that I have talked… All my life I have been a worrier, you know…the “what ifs?”. Many times I have worried to the point of making myself sick or I’ll have a rip roaring panic attack. And depending where I am at the time, I would avoid going to those places again. At one point in my life, all the doors closed in on me and the only safe place was my home…for 4 long years! Eventually I discovered there was a name for this, it’s called Agoraphobia, an anxiety/panic disorder, which I have had all my life. In Latin it is referred to as “the fear of the market place”. Eventually I got help, which turned my life around. But I still have all the “what ifs? and negative chatter” which are ingrained in my head and sometimes still stops me from doing things or makes it very difficult.
I was first drawn to Zentangle® by the beautiful and intricate and creative abstract black and white art. And then I read, “anyone can do it!”. I didn’t believe it because I can’t draw, but I thought I’d try it, and I did it, AND it was unbelievable! I knew from that moment that I wanted to become a CZT and teach it. Zentangle has brought me so much peace and has helped with my anxiety, depression, pain, and the “what ifs and chatter” in my head. The Zentangle® Method™ is all about teaching you how to relax and focusing on drawing structured patterns (tangles). It is a stress reliever by distracting your mind so you can just live “in the moment” (mindfulness). It is the “process” I enjoy and the art is a benefit. The Zentangle® Method™ has taught me to enjoy & appreciate life and to trust my intuition, knowing that it always turns out OK.

Finding Zentangle and becoming a CZT has given my life purpose and has gotten me out of the house and back to teaching and living again (I LOVE teaching!). I have made many wonderful friends around the world and I’m so grateful! My mind now is occupied with beautiful Zentangle art and patterns I see everywhere and I’m constantly thinking of new ideas, projects, and classes!

Some of the Benefits of the Zentangle® Method™:

Stress Reliever and Promotes Relaxation

Decreases Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Depression

Pain Management

Problem Solving

Physical and Emotional Therapies

Focus and Concentration

Mindfulness-“living in the moment”

Fine Motor Skills

Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

Personal Well-Being

Working with Children and the Elderly

PTSD

Recovery Programs

Positive Group Dynamics

NO Art Experience Required!

Is a break from Technology!

Opens the Mind to Creativity, Imagination, and Intuition!

Practicing Zentangle will help you “Release your Inner Artist”– even if you think you don’t have one!

Anyone can do it! Give it a try! You only need a piece of paper, pen, and pencil!

Like this:

Do you have favorite tangles? The ones you refer back to again and again, especially when you’re stuck and can’t think of a tangle. Your comfortable go-to tangles. Maria Thomas calls those her “mac & cheese tangles” 🙂 Some of my favorites are Poke Root, Printemps, Tipple, Flux, Hollibaugh, and Rain (created by Zentangle®). You will see these tangles in many of my tiles! I’m taking a break from classes this summer because when summer starts in Alaska, people are outside fishing, camping, hiking, traveling, gardening, etc. So this is usually the time that I put a fall class schedule together but this summer Jake and I bought a small motorhome and have been camping a lot. I’ve been away from technology and tangling is perfect when camping! All you need is an ink pen, pencil, and paper!

I admit that I don’t do well with change and so I have a hard time with structured challenges. I have to force myself to try new tangles and I tend to fall back on my “mac & cheese” tangles. But since I have time and I’m off camping, it’s the perfect time to challenge myself. I’m starting out small and doing mono tangles (one tangle) and I’ll choose different tangles that I’ve never done before! Yikes, be brave! I’ve always wanted to do Mak-Rah-Meetangle, by Michele Beauchamp, CZT. This tangle has always intrigued me because it’s so pretty and I love how it flows, but looks hard to do. But I actually found it easy when following the step out at www.tanglepatterns.com It looks similar to a craft knot like you’d find in macrame. I love fiber art! I added some Tippleand finished the border using Curly Q, by Diane Lachance, CZT. All were really FUN tangles to do! Sometimes we just need a little push…in my case, a BIG push!

So I’m challenging myself to do a new tangle every week until classes start again in Fall. Why don’t you join me!